Brassiere or similar garment



April 26, 1949. H. GLUCKIN BRASSIERE 0R SIMILAR GARMENT Filed Feb. 10, 1945 lNVEr TOR; HARRY 62 uc/mv ATTORN Y Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,468,623 BRASSIERE OR SIMILAR GARMENT Application February 10, 1945, Serial No. 577,170

8 Claims.

This invention relates to garments employing breast pockets or cups, with means for supporting the same upon the body of a wearer and at times constructed as brassires. More particularly, the invention relates to garments of the kind described employing brace or supporting members in the form of straps or bands which, in certain adaptations of the invention, extend continuously from upper inner side portions of the cups or pockets and are yieldably or otherwise attached to outer side edges of the same pockets, the straps or bands of opposed pockets being coupled together centrally of the brassire in link, plate or strap portions which may or may not have extensible or elastic properties. Still more particularly, the invention deals with brace or supporting straps or bands including stiffening or reinforcing members for firmly supporting the breasts of a wearer in raised youthful position. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective front view of a brassiere made according to my invention, showing one adaptation thereof.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing only the strap member or band; and

Fig. 3 is a front view of the central portion of a brassiere showing a modified form of coupling between the strap members.

In illustrating one adaptation of my invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing two substantially similar pockets l and Illa, and as these pockets are of identical construction, the brief description of one will apply to both. My invention is not particularly concerned with just how each pocket proper is constructed. However, in the structure as shown, each pocket comprises an upper portion l l and a lower portion [2 joined together along the curved seam, as at l3, which is designed to give the bust conforming contour to each pocket. Attached to side edges of the pockets Ill and Illa are side and back bands [4 and is having suitable means for detachably coupling the same at the center of the back, at the section indicated at IS. The rear portions of the bands l4 and I5 also preferably include elastic inserts I! and [8 to yieldably support the brassiere upon the body of the wearer.

The lower portions l2 of thepockets Ill and I00.

are joined centrally of the front of the garment by a band l9 which may be elastic to further provide yieldable support of the garment and to provide relative movement of the pockets one with respect to the other. Shoulder straps 20 and 2| are coupled with the bands l4 and i5 respectively and to the upper contracted ends 22 of the pockets Ill and Illa, the coupling being made through the medium of straps 23 and buckles 24, providing adjustment of the straps 20 and 2i.

Extending integrally from inner edge portions 25 of the upper parts I l of the pockets l0 and Illa are brace or supporting strap members 26. These strap members pass through apertures 21 in a coupling, link, plate or strap 28 and are folded backwardly to extend over lower portions l2 of associated pockets Ill and Illa with the ends of the straps coupled to outer side edges of the pockets, preferably through the medium of elastic straps 29. In other words, the brace or supporting strap which extends integrally from the edge 25 of the pocket lll extends over the lower portion l2 of this pocket and the same is true of the pocket Illa. A longitudinal section is shown through one of the straps 25 in Fig. 2 of the drawing on an enlarged scale. It will first be understood that at least the upper portions ll of each pocket Ill and lta is composed of two facing sheets, particularly at the edge portions 25 thereof.

In Fig. 2, the reference numeral 30 represents what would constitute the inner facing of the pocket by reason of the fold in the strap 23 and the reference numeral 3|, the outer face of the pocket. It will thus be seen that the facing 38 becomes the outer facing of the strap 26, as appearing in Fig. 1, and the facing 3! the inner facing of the strap. The facing 3| of the strap has a transverse slit or cut, preferably reinforced as a buttonhole or opening 32, which facilitates insertion of a reinforcing or stiffening member or strip 33 into position between the facings 3B and 3!. It is also preferred that a closure flap 34 be attached to the facing 30, by transverse stitchings 35 to allow the flap to extend through the buttonhole or opening 32 beneath the facing 30 to retain the member or strip 33 against accidental displacement from the chamber which is formed between the facings 30 and 31 of the strap 28. It will be understood that by pulling out on the flap 34, the buttonhole will become open for the removal of the member or strip 33, and also to facilitate insertion of the member. By this construction, relatively stifi or rigid members of metal, bone, plastic or similar materials can be removed in the laundering of the garment. The use of the term rigid or stiff is in comparison with flexible cloth or fabric, it being understood that the members are flexible to the degree to bend in conforming with the contour of the breasts. In some instances, paddings may be used as the reinforcing or bracing elements or straps, and these need not necessarily have the stiff or rigid. characteristics mentioned'above, nor is it at all times necessary that the strips or elements be removable.

The link, plate or strap 28 is preferably, but not necessarily composed of a relatively stiff and rigid material such as plasticsv in order to pro--. vide Sliding movement of the straps 26 through the openings 21 thereof. These members actually operate to balance the support of the straps 26, and to take up the bust support through the inner edge portions 25 and the shoulder straps, By extending the straps backwardly upon respective pockets in the manner defined, a more concentrated support is provided for the breasts arranged in each pocketv directly to outer side edges of the pockets, preferably at the lower portions thereof, which support is in turn taken up by the side and back bands l4 and I5. In some instances, the straps 23 may be composed of clas tic, materials.

In Fig. 3, of the drawing Ihave shown a-slight modification of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the sole difierence being in constructing the coupling, link, plate or strap 01' two parts rather than the one part 28, as shown in Fi s 1. In Fig. 3, two coupling parts in the. form of} links, plates or straps 36 and 31. are employed. These straps have, outer elongated apertures 38 and 39 which are similar to the apertures 28 and through which supporting straps. 40, similar to the straps 2E5 are adapted to pass.

The couplings 3,6 and 31 also have at adjacent edges apertures 4i ticgor ther s rap ex ble c nnec i ns and 4.2 through which an elass.

between the members36 and 31 and relative movement when the straps 4.3 are,

composed of elastic vmateri 1. portions of two similar pockets and 441;, which and I M; The lower portions. 45 of the pockets. are joined centrally by a strap. 46., similar to. the strap t9, the upper portions of the pockets. are partially shown at 4! united to the lower portions' i by theseams.48 The straps 4,0;are, con-. tinuous. with the. inner. edge upper parts 41 of the pockets, in other words, are similar-to the inner edge portions 25..

As the straps 40 are identical with the straps 26', no further detail description Willbe iven with regard to the wall structure thereof. For purposes of identification only, 50 'will represent the buttonhole similar to the buttonhole 32., 5.!

In Fig. 3, innerthe closure flaps similar to the flaps 3.4., and 52- the strips or elements similar to the elements .33.

By providing the coupling, comprising the two.

parts or members 36 and 31, greater flexibility the coupling between opposed straps 40, and when an elastic is employed,.a greater yieldability of the straps 40, as Well as. inner edge portions 49 will be provided in adapting the breast pockets as well as, the bracing straps to proper support of' the breasts of a wearer.

In considering Fig. 1 of apparent that the breasts Will. e suppor d. b tween the peripheral edges o he u per parts. of

thepocketsas well as the lower p qrti'ons thereof 43' passes, in order. to. provide are shown at, 445 e. eq ivalen to he pocket l0 portions, 49, of the.

he. "draw n i will, e

reinforced by the brace straps, producin what might be termed breast enveloping bands which are flexibly and otherwise joined at the front of the garment by the strap coupling 28, and its equivalent shown in Fig. 3, and the band l9-46, supported further by the side and back bands which are coupled together at the back of the garment and. the shoulder strapsv employed.

In most instances, supporting-straps of the kind under consideration have been arranged to extend from one pocket to the other or opposed pocket, usually crossed centrally of the garment. With my present construction, the supporting and bracing straps are concentrated to the environment of-each pocket and the breasts supported therein, thus producin more efficient results in the support of the breasts in raised youthful position and in controlling spaced relationship of the breasts one with respect to the other. In this connection, the spacing between the loops or apertures 27 as well as 38 and 39 can be controlled by the size of the coupling, link, plate or strap employed.

It will, of course be understood that the straps 28-t6 neednot be formed as integral parts of the facings employed in constructing the upper parts of the pockets. However, it" is preferred that these straps extendfrom the inner edge p01- tions 25-69 and thus edge portions.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In garments of the of similar breast brace member extending continuously and freely from the upper inner edge p'ortionofthe pocket to they outer side edge of said pocketmeans coupling adjacent inner edge portions-of the memclass' described, a pair bers of both pockets at-adjacent' inner ends of the I members of opposed pockets, said members having yieldable couplings connected to the outer side edges of the pockets, and stiffening elements arranged throughout the ma or portion of the length of said members;

2. In garments of the class described, a. pair ofsimilar breast. pockets, each pocket-having a brace member extending continuously andfreely from the upper inner edge portion of the pocket to the outer side edge o-f saidpocket; meanscoupling adjacent inner edge portions of the members of adjacent innerends of the both pockets at pockets, said means comprising; plate having spaced apertures through which said members pass in providing relative "movement between the" members of opposed-pockets, said members having yieldable couplings connected to'the outer side edges of the pockets, stiffening elements arranged throughout the major portion, of the length of said members, andflmeans comprising openings in said members for'detach'ably' coupling the elements with resp'ect'to said members.

3. In garments ofthe'classdescribed, a pair of similar breast pockets, each, pocket having a, brace member exten ng cent riuouslyand freely from the upper inner edge; portion of'thepockett0 he. ut r s de. edge. o .saidfpoeketgmeansfccws ng. adj cent. inn r d nortionsiof the. members of th. ocketsat'adiacentiinner ends. of

the pockets, themember of 'each'fpocketihavins h r. t nding thmughoutthemaior er:

can be well regarded as a continuous or extensions of said pockets, each pockethaving a tion of the length thereof, a arranged in said chamber.

4. In garments of the class described, a pair of similar breast pockets, each pocket having a brace member extending continuously and freely from the upper inner edge portion of the pocket to the outer side edge of said pocket,means coupling adjacent inner edge portions of the members of both pockets at adjacent inner ends of the pockets, the member of each pocket having a chamber extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof, a stiffening element arranged in said chamber and said members at one end portion of the chambers having openings for detachably coupling the elements with said members.

5. In garments of the class described, a pair of similar breast pockets, each pocket having a brace member extending continuously and freestiffening element 1y from the upper inner edge portion of the pocket to the outer side edge of said pocket, means coupling adjacent inner edge portions of the members of both pockets at adjacent inner ends of the pockets, the member of each pocket having a chamber extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof, a stiffening element arranged in said chamber said members at one end portion of the chambers having openings for detachably coupling the elements with said members, and means retaining the detachable elements against accidental displacement from said members.

6. The combination with garments having breast pockets, with means supporting the pockets upon the body of a wearer, of brace members for said pockets, said members comprising extensions of inner upper edge portions of the pockets folded backwardly upon and extending freely over lower portions of respective pockets, ends of said members being attached to outer sides of the pockets, and means engaging the folds of said members intermediate the pockets for coupling said members and pockets together.

'7. The combination with garments having breast pockets, with means supporting the pockets upon the body of a wearer, of brace members for said pockets, said members comprising extensions of inner upper edge portions of the pockets folded backwardly upon and extending freely over lower portions of respective pockets, ends of said members being attached to outer sides of the pockets, means engaging the folds of said members intermediate the pockets for coupling said members and pockets together, and said last named means comprising apertured plates and yieldable coupling joining said plates in providing relative movement between folded portions of said members.

8. The combination with garments having breast pockets, with means supporting the pockets upon the body of a wearer, of brace members for said pockets, said members comprising extensions of inner upper edge portions of the pockets folded backwardly upon and extending freely over lower portions of respective pockets, ends of said members being attached to outer sides of the pockets, means engaging the folds of said members intermediate the pockets for coupling said members and pockets together, said last named means comprising apertured plates and a yieldable coupling joining said plates in providing relative movement between folded portions of said members, and said members having reinforcing elements extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof.

HARRY GLUCKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 244,776 Wales July 26, 1881 2,010,241 Norman Aug. 6, 1935 2,015,151 Moity Sept. 24, 1935 2,054,986 Kunstadter Sept. 22, 1936 2,100,890 Witkower Nov. 30, 1937 2,248,300 Hay July 8, 1941 2,267,365 Blum Dec. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 214,047 Geat Britain Apr. 17, 1924 

